Heat exchanger including diffusing element



J 30, 1968 HANS-JOACHIM WELZ 3,366,170

HEAT' EXCHANGER INCLUDING DIFFUSING ELEMENT I Filed Jan. 25, 1966 4 Shets-Shet a 1N VEN TOR.

Jan. 30, 1968 HANS- OACHIM wr.-:| z 3,366,170

HEAT EXCHANGER INCLUDING DI FEUSING ELEMENT Filed Jan. 25, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /kv 1NVEN')OR.

BY W I Air/QM J: 54%? United States Patent 3,366,170 HEAT EXCHANGER INCLUDING DIFFUSING ELEMENT Hans-Joachim Welz, Hindenburgstr. 56, Korntal, near Stuttgart, Germany Filed Jan. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 522,993 13 Claims. (Cl. 165-53) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Two spaced pipes extend substantially parallel. A plurality of plate-like heat diffusing elements extend transversely of the pipes. Coupling means couples the heat diffusing elements to the pipes and includes retaining elements which are each connected to one of the diffusing elements and a clamping element which is connected to the respective pipe. The coupling means consists at least in part of heat-conducting material so that heat is transmitted from the respective pipes through the coupling means to the diffusing element.

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger arrangement. More specifically, the invention relates to a heat exchanger arrangement for diffusing heat over a large surface area. Still more specifically, the invention relates to a heat exchanger arrangement which serves to diffuse heat conducted to it from one or more pipes carrying a heating fluid, and at the same time serves to substantially conceal these pipes from view.

It is customary in many instances, particularly in industrial and commercial buildings, to heat certain areas by simply running heating pipes therethrough. Such pipes will usually be exposed to view and may extend along the floor or along the walls, but most frequently extend along the ceiling of a room with some spacing therefrom. Not only is this type of arrangement undesirable from an aesthetic point of view, but also there is no directional radiation of the heat such as to warm a specific area.

It is clearly desirable to provide such directional radiation so as to utilize to the maximum the heating capacity of the pipes, and to employ the heat Where it is most needed. At the same time the importance of concealing the pipes so as to present a more aesthetic view must not be underestimated.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a heat exchanger arrangement which will eliminate the above-mentioned adverse conditions and pro-' vide the advantages described as desirable. A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger arrangement which will provide for directional diffusion of heat from the pipes in conjunction with which it is used.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger arrangement of the type described which will conceal the heating pipes with which it is used, and which will present an aesthetic appearance.

A concomitant object of the present invention is to provide such a heat exchanger arrangement which is pleasing to behold, inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble.

In accordance with one feature of my invention 1 provide a heat exchanger which comprises at least two spaced substantially parallel pipes, a plurality of plate-like heat diffusing elements extending transversely of these pipes, and coupling means, at least one for each pipe. Each of these coupling means has retaining elements which are in turn each connected to one of the diffusing elements, and a clamping element connected to the respective pipe. The coupling means will consist at least in part of heat-conducting material whereby heat is transmitted from the respective pipes through the coupling means and to the diffusing elements, from where it is directionally diffused.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic top-plan view of a blank for a combined clamping, spacing and retaining structure for use in a heat exchange arrangement in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side-elevational view, partly sectioned, of the novel heat exchange arrangement, utilizing the blank shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken on the line IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 but showing a blank for a different embodiment of the combined structure;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but utilizing the structure shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section taken on the line IV-IV of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side-elevational view, partly sectioned, of a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a section taken on the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the novel heat exchanger arrangement as applied to a plurality of pipes.

Discussing now the drawings in detail, and firstly FIG. 10 thereof, it will be seen that there are provided three tubes 1 which may, or may not, extend parallel to one another. These tubes will carry a heating fluid circulating therethrough. Each of the tubes is surrounded or straddled by a clamping portion 2 from which there will be seen to depend downwardly two legs 13 which carry at their lower ends the transversely extending sheet portions 3. The sheet portions 3 carry respective diffusor elements 10 which extend transversely of the axial elongation of the tubes and are arranged closely adjacent one another in longitudinal direction of the tubes 1.

Before going on to a discussion of the more specific FIGS. l-9 it should be understood that it is by no means necessary to provide the clamping portion and the cooperating legs and transversely extending sheet portions in conjunctions with every single heating tube. For example, it would be sufficient, if three or more tubes are present, to provide the novel arrangement only on the two outermost tubes, or on any tubes intermediate the outermost tubes. This is of importance particularly if not all the tubes are arranged in a common plane, and it will be clear that the novel arrangement can be used with a plurality of tubes even if only two out of the total number of such tubes extend in a common plane. In fact, if positioning of the diffusor elements at an angle transversely to the tube axes is acceptable, it is not even necessary that any two tubes extend in a common plane.

Corning now to FIGS. 1-3, all of which are concerned with one embodiment of the invention, it will be noticed that this is the embodiment which is shown by way of example in FIG. 10. It should be pointed out that in all of the drawings the tubes, of which only a single one is shown for purposes of clarity, are designated with reference numeral 1, the clamping portion of the embodiment of FIGS. l3 is designated with reference numeral 2, and the clamping portion of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 the cut-outs which are provided in the 3 spacing means are designated with reference numeral 4.

Discussing now FIG. 1, it will be seen that the blank shown there is of planar configuration. It comprises a center portion 2 which, after appropriate shaping of the blank, becomes the clamping portion which surrounds the pipe 1. On either side of center portion 2 are provided leg-portions which, after forming of the blank, will constitute the legs 5 which are seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 as projecting downwardly beyond the pipe. Outwardly of the leg portions 5 are provided the portions 6 which will after forming of the blank constitute the outwardly extending flanges 6 visible in FIG. 2, and particularly in FIG. 3. At longitudinally spaced intervals the blank shown in FIG. 1 is provided with cut outs or windows 4 in the respective leg portions 5. Slots 7 are provided in the flange portions 6 and extend thereacross, and these slots communicate with the respective cut-outs 4 so that on either lateral side of the slots there are provided edge portions 8.

It will be obvious from FIGS. 2 and 3 how the blank is deformed. The center portion 2 is arcuately shaped transversely of its axis so as to form a clamping portion which, in the instant example, is of circular cross section. This clamping portion 2 surrounds the heating pipe 1 in intimate surface-to-surface contact. The legs constituted by the leg portions 5 project outwardly and transversely of the pipe 1 and it will be understood that these legs 5 may extend at an angle to one another as shown in FIG. 3 or that they may be perfectly parallel. The flanges 6 extend substantially transversely to the legs 5 and the edge portions 8 in the flanges 6 are bent in outward direction out of the plane of the respective flanges 6.

The blank shown in FIG. 1 will advantageously 'be made of a resilient material which is heat conducting. Aluminum or aluminum alloys have been found to be particularly suitable. Cold-rolling of such material enhances the flexibility thereof and it will be understood that flexibility is necessary so that the outwardly-bent edge portions 8 of the flanges 6 may be springy. This is necessary so that they may firmly retain the diffusor elements 10 which are shown in FIG. 10 in more detail. As is evident there, and also in FIG. 2, the difiusor elements are elongated and extend transversely of the axes of the pipes 1. Their respective longitudinal edge portions 11 are bent upwardly and inwardly toward one another so as to define channels in which the edge portions 8 of the flanges 6 are received simply by snapping them into the channels of the diffusor elements 10. As a result of their springiness these edge portions 8, which hereafter will be called the retaining elements, will engage the edge portions 11 of the diffusor elements 10 and thereby maintain the elements 10 firmly in place. The purpose of the cutouts 4 will now also be clear, it being evident in FIG. 2 that the raised longitudinal edge portions of the diffuser elements 10, which define the channels and extend transversely of the axis of the pipes 1, and therefore also transversely of the elongation of the legs 5, are received in these cut-outs 4.

When the elements 10 are assembled to the flanges 6, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, there will be a substantial surface-to-surface contact with these flanges so that heat transmission from the pipes to the clamping portion 2 and from there to the legs 5 and the flanges 6 and finally to the diffusor elements 10 will be very good, if material of the proper heat conductivity is used. As a result of the predetermined spacing between the windows 4, and accordingly between the retaining elements 8, the positioning of the heat diffusor elements 10 in exactly parallel relationship is assured, and a completed installation using the novel heat exchanger arrangement will have an aesthetically pleasing appearance, will cover and shield the pipes 1 from view, and at the same time will diffuse the heat from a large surface area corresponding to the surfaces of the diffusing elements 10.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 46. It will be seen that FIG. 4 again shows a blank whose center portion is designated with reference numeral 9. Arranged on either side of the center portion are leg portions 13 which are respectively provided at longitudinally spaced intervals and in transverse alignment with pairs of cut-outs 4. Center portion 9 is provided with slots 14 extending thereacross and connecting the cut-outs 4, whereby there are created edge portions 15 on either side of the slots 14 in the center portion 9. To either outer side of the leg portions 13 there are provided additional portions 3'.

How the blank shown in FIG. 4 is deformed is most clearly evident from FIG. 6. The outermost portions 3 are each arcuately deformed and constitute clamping portions 3' which engage the heating pipe 1 in substantial surface-to'surface contact therewith. Portions 13 are bent so as to extend at an angle to one another, and center portion 9 provides a center web corresponding to the flanges 6 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. l-3. The remainder of the embodiment of FIGS. 4-6 is the same as in FIGS. 1-3, namely the diflfusor elements 10 extend transversely of the elongation of the pipes 1 and the portions 13, and are secured by the edge portions 15 of center portions 9.

Where in the embodiments shown in the preceding figures the clamping means, legs and flanges are integral with one another, this is not the case in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-9. As is most clearly evident from FIG. 9, the novel arrangement here consists of two sections, each of which comprises a clamping portion 3", a leg portion 12, and a flange 6. The respective legs 12 and flanges 6 define with one another an angle of less than and together form a substantially L-shaped body. The clamping portion 3" in each case is of arcuate configuration and engages the pipe 1 in intimate surface-tosurface contact therewith. The two sections are arranged back-to-back so that the flanges 6 again project to opposite sides, similarly as in FIG. 3. The legs 12 extend parallel to one another and are suitably secured together, such as by welding, gluing or in another suitable way forming no part of the present invention. Such joining of the legs 12 is indicated by reference numeral 18. The edge portions 19 of the upper free ends of the clamping portion 3" are bent over in radially outward direction and thus constitute a guide means which facilitates snapping of the clamping portions 3" over the pipes 1. It must be understood, of course, that most advantageously the legs 12 will be secured together prior to assembly of the clamping portions through the pipes 1 so that it will be necessary to snap the clamping portions over the pipe 1. The cut-outs provided in the legs 12 are of diflerent configuration than those of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6. Specifically, they are such that each cut-out is bounded by a pair of axially projecting arcuate portions 16' and 16", and the flanges 6 are provided with cut-outs 17 which are aligned with the cut-outs 16. It is to be noted that the cut-outs 17 are of substantially the same width as the cut-outs 16, as seen with reference to the axial extension of the cut-outs 16, and that no edge portions bounding the cut-outs 17 serve to retain the heat diffusor elements 10, as in the case of the other embodiments. Rather, the heat diffusor elements 10, whose configuration is substantially the same as that in the preceding figures, will have their longitudinal edge portions so shaped as to correspond in contour to that of the edge portions 16, 16" of the legs 12, so that they may be snapped over these edge portions and be retained thereby.

It will be understood that an arrangement constructed in accordance with any of these three embodiments can be readily removed from the pipes 1 whenever this is desired. Also, the clamping portions, the legs, the flanges, and indeed the heat diffusor elements 10 can be electrolytically oxidized and may also be given any desired color if it is intended that the arrangement should harmonize with other colors in the same area, for example, the color of the ceiling.

Furthermore, the arrangement is suitable for use with any number of heating pipes 1; such heating pipes need not extend directly parallel to one another; and the heat dilfusor elements can be made to bridge any reasonable distance between heating pipes 1, either by providing them in considerable lengths or by constructing them, in accordance with another feature of the invention, of two or more sections which can be telescoped one within the other.

If the clamping means shown is not adequate to provide sufficiently intimate contact with the pipes 1, and if increased contact is required to promote better heat transfer, then it is of course possible to utilize auxiliary means, such as spring-type clamps for pressing the clamping means more firmly against the pipes 1.

Also, the pipes 1 will be seen to be suspended from a (non-numbered) support by pipe hangers 20 which are secured to the support and at the other end to the pipe. To accommodate these hangers it is contemplated in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 to provide suitable openings in the clamping means 2 so that the pipe hangers 20 can pass through such openings into contact with, and be secured to the pipe 1.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of heat exchange arrangements differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in heat exchange arrangements, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications Without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A heat exchanger, comprising at least two spaced substantially parallel pipes; a plurality of heat diffusing elements extending transversely of said pipes; and coupling means, at least one for each pipe, each of said coupling means having retaining elements each connected to one of said diffusing elements, a clamping element connected to the respective pipe, and spacer means intermediate said retaining elements and said clamping element, said spacer means comprising an elongated first portion extending in direction of the respective pipe and being provided with longitudinally spaced cut-outs, and a second portion extending at an angle to said first portion and being provided with transversely extending slots each communicating with one of said cut-outs, sections of said second portion adjoining the respective slots on either side thereof being bent out of the plane of the remainder of the second portion and constituting said retaining elements.

2. A heat exchanger as defined in claim 1, wherein said clamping elements are in substantial surface-to-surface contact with the respective pipes.

3. A heat exchanger as defined in claim 2, wherein said clamping portion comprises two clamping sections adapted to engage one of said pipes together; and wherein said first and second spacer web portions are provided on each of said clamping sections and are sheet-like and elongated in direction of said pipe, said portions being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced cutouts extending across the respective second portion and into the respective first portion, that section of said cutouts which is located in said first spacer web portions being so configurated that edge portions of said first spacer web portion which longitudinally bound said section are of arcuate contour; and wherein said diffusing elements have respective longitudinal edge portions extending transversely of said pipes, said edge portions being bent upwardly and in direction toward one another so as to define respective channels with the remainder of the diffuser element whose cross-section substantially corresponds to the contour of said edge portions of said first spacer web portion, whereby said dilfusors are retained in place by snapping said edge portions of said first spacer Web portion into said channels.

4. A heat exchanger as defined in claim 1, wherein said spacer means is a spacing web means.

5. A heat exchanger as defined in claim 1, wherein said first portion is rigid with said clamping means and said second portion is rigid with said first portion and with the corresponding retaining elements.

6. A heat exchanger, comprising at least two spaced substantially parallel pipes; a plurality of plate-like heat diffusing elements extending transversely of said pipes; coupling means at least one for each pipe, each of said coupling means consisting at least in part of heat-conducting material and comprising retaining elements each connected to one of said diffusing elements, a clamping element connected to the respective pipe, and spacing web means intermediate said retaining elements and the respective clamping elements, said spacing web means including at least one sheet-like first portion rigid with said clamping means and one sheet-like second portion rigid with said first portion and with the corresponding retaining elements, both of said portions being elongated in direction of the respective pipe and defining an L-shape with one another, said first portion being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced cut-outs, said second portion being provided with transversely extending slots each communicating with one of said cut-outs of said first portion and sections of said second portions adjoining the respective slots on either side thereof being bent out of the plane of the remainder of the second portion and constituting said retaining elements.

7. A heat exchanger as defined in claim 6, wherein the respective first portions and the respective second portions are integral with one another and with said clamping means and form a single unit therewith.

8. A heat exchanger as defined in claim 6, wherein said clamping portion comprises two clamping sections each adapted to engage one of said pipes over part of the circumference, and wherein said spacing web means comprises a pair of first portions respectively rigid with one of said clamping sections, and a pair of second portions respectively rigid with one of said first portions, said pair of first portions extending substantially parallel to one another and being rigidly joined to one another.

9. A heat exchanger as defined in claim 6, wherein the material of at least said retaining elements is elastic and resiliently engages said edge portions defining said channels.

10. A heat exchanger as defined in claim 6, wherein said retaining elements are in substantial surface-to-surface contact with the respective diffusing elements for facilitating transmission of heat thereto.

11. A heat exchanger as defined in claim 10, wherein said diffusing elements consist at least substantially of heat-conducting material.

12. A heat exchanger as defined in claim 11, wherein said material of said diffusing elements and of said coupling means is aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

13. A heat exchanger, comprising at least two spaced substantially parallel pipes; a plurality of plate-like heat diffusing elements having respective longitudinal edge portions extendings transversely of said pipes, said edge portions being bent upwardly in direction toward each other so that each edge portion defines with the remainder of the element a channel; coupling means at least one for each pipe, each of said coupling means consisting at least in part of heat-conducting material and comprising retaining elements each connected to one of said diffusing elements, a clamping element connected to the respective pipe straddling the same, and spacing web means intermediate said retaining elements and the respective clamping elements, said spacing web means comprising a pair of first portions provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced cut-outs, said first portions being rigid with said clamping means and mutually inclined, and a pair of second portions each rigid with one of said first portions and with the corresponding retaining elements whereby, when said clamping means straddles one of said pipes, said second portions are respectively located on opposite sides of the pipe axis and said upwardly bent edge por- 16 tions are located in said cut-outs with corresponding ones of said retaining elements being received in said channels,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,887,564 5/1959 Baran 16549 X FOREIGN PATENTS 649,247 9/ 1962 Canada. 1,105,527 7/1955 France.

972,926 11/ 1959 Germany. 403,899 1/1934 Great Britain. 768,134 2/1957 Great Britain.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

MEYER PERLIN, Examiner.

M. A. ANTONAKAS, Assistant Examiner. 

